Pioneer Building

Ca. unknown

Ca. 1900

Years tallest: 1892 – 1904Height: 94 feet, 6 floorsLocation: 600 First AvenueInteresting facts: Built on the site of Yesler Mansion, the Richardsonian Romanesque-style structure was designed by architect Elmer Fisher. In 1898, during the Klondike Gold Rush, the Pioneer Building was home to 48 mining companies. During the prohibition era, the building was home to Seattle’s first speakeasy.

Alaska Building

Ca. 1909

Ca. 1913

Interesting facts: Developed as Seattle’s original skyscraper and built in only 11 months, the building was also the first steel-framed structure in the Northwest. In 2007 the Alaska Building was purchased for $38.7 million and is now a Marriott hotel.

King Street Station Tower

Ca. 1906

Ca. 1911

Ca. 1950

Interesting facts: The station was designed by Minnesota architects Charles A. Reed and Allen H. Stem, who later went on to create New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. King Street Station originally served as the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway until Amtrack became prominent in the early 1970s.

Interesting facts: Smith Tower was originally built by typewriter and firearm entrepreneur Lyman Cornelius Smith. Although Lyman didn’t live to see the project through to completion, his son was able to continue his legacy. Smith Tower quickly became the tallest structure on the West Coast until the Space Needle stole the title in 1962. Today, the tower’s pyramid-shaped penthouse is home to Petra Franklin Lahaie and her family. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is surprisingly spacious at 1,750 square feet.

Space Needle

Ca. 1961

Ca. 1978

Interesting facts: The original plans for the Space Needle were drawn on a coffee shop placemat in 1959 by entrepreneur Edward E. Carlson. By the time land was finally acquired to build the Space Needle, construction crews had only one year to get the structure completed in time for the 1961 World’s Fair, which had a 21st century theme. The modular, flying saucer-topped Space Needle was to be the main event. More interesting facts and historic photos of the Space Needle can be found here.

Safeco Plaza

Ca. 1969

Ca. 1970

Interesting facts: The building, which also goes by the names 1001 Fourth Avenue Plaza and Seattle-First National Bank Building, was one of the first rectangular skyscrapers to mark the Seattle skyline.

Columbia Center

Ca. 1986

Ca. 2014

Interesting facts: Formerly known as Bank of America Tower and Columbia Seafirst Center, this building is now the second tallest skyscraper on the West Coast. During construction, 15,000 tons of steel were used to build the massive building. In summer 2015, the center was purchased for $711 million by Hong Kong investors.